OK... here's where the experience and expertise of this forum will be a serious asset for me. I'm *not* a mechanic- don't even play one on TV- and I have not ridden for many years. My "new" bike just came into my dealership; they obtained it from another dealer, to get me the '04 Asphalt non-ABS I asked for, and when they put in a battery and turned the key, the odometer showed 24 miles. The colored "wear lines" on the tires, which my dealer says usually wear off within 5 miles, are still there.
My dealer is making the obvious phone calls to find out what the story is, and my salesman assures me that the mechanics will be going over the bike to make sure it gets a clean bill of health, but told me about the whole deal to be completely upfront with me. I also can get my deposit back if I want to... they're a good shop.
So: I figured that while the salesman is doing his homework I'd ask for advice here. If it turns out that the odometer came to the other dealership with 24 miles on it, I'd think this is some sort of factory issue. If not, should I be at all concerned about the bike's having been adversely affected in any way by the first 24 miles of its life?
We sold bikes all the time with many more miles than that. The warranty doesn't start until you purchase it and it's unlimited mileage during the warranty period. When dealers transfer bikes they NEVER ask how many miles are on a new bike. It's really just not a big deal. :)
So long as it wasn't titled, and is being sold as new with the OEM warranty intact, I wouldn't anticipate problems. I like the idea of receiving a comp'd or perhaps a dealer cost extended warranty. Great choice of color. John
flyinlow, Apr 8 2005, 11:38 AMSee if you can get them to throw some stuff in like the extended warranty or riding gear or something.
More than likely, its probably test rides.
I can't see a dealership throwing in an extended warranty to compensated for 24 miles. Dealer cost is $285 that's $11.88 a mile. Please don't make yourself look ridiculous by asking for an extended warranty to compensate for 24 miles. Do you see car dealers throwing in extended warranties when you buy a car with 24 miles on it? It's the same concept. If the 24 miles bother you find another bike. :joystick:
Hurricane249, Apr 8 2005, 01:33 PMI can't see a dealership throwing in an extended warranty to compensated for 24 miles. Dealer cost is $285 that's $11.88 a mile. Please don't make yourself look ridiculous by asking for an extended warranty to compensate for 24 miles. Do you see car dealers throwing in extended warranties when you buy a car with 24 miles on it? It's the same concept. If the 24 miles bother you find another bike. :joystick:
Which is why I suggested trying to get the extended warranty at or close to dealer cost. Sounded reasonable to me.
Asphalt VFR?!! New Hampshire?!!?So that's how far my cousin from NH went when he wheelied and thrashed that bike on a test ride recently! :blink: No, seriously, I feel for you. I suspect that the dealer might have let a few people try out the VFR on their floor to make up their minds. The same thing happened to me, when I bought my 88 Honda Hawk. I wasn't so assertive back then, being a young, just out of college guy, and only noticing the miles on the odometer when I was already setting up to ride home on it on the dealers outside lot. It didn't help that I was so excited just to get the beauty and never noticed the reported mileage on the loan contract! It had 40 miles on it when I looked at the odometer for the first time. I called the dealer on the subject when I got home, but they brushed it off as setup testing miles! The liars! :pissed: It didn't make too much of a difference anyway, As most Hondas do, the Hawk ran flawlessly for the whole seven years I owned it! I wouldn't doubt if your new bike would too P.S. Anyway, I sold (traded-in) the Hawk for only $200.00 dollars less than when I first bought it. That's close to zero depreciation! :beer: They also gave me a great deal on the 95 VFR that I currently ride, to top it off!
24 miles? dont you realize the bike is covered as if there were no miles? have them knock off 11 dollars to compensate for those miles. dang.... mine had 6...they owe me 75 cents!!!!
Well, it seems like oncetinawhile a bike comes through with miles on the odometer right from the factory- I know, it sounds hard to believe, but my dealership has a consistently great rep and my salesman matches the rep... *and* the story matches the bike's condition, which is totally untouched.
I won't gush *too* much here, I'll wait 'til I get photos uploaded and do it in proper style... but I'll say this much: The bike is *not* beautiful... that is too mild a word. IT'S BLOODY OMIGAWD GORGEOUS!!! :D :wheel: :lol:
Peregrinus, Apr 8 2005, 07:28 PMWell, it seems like oncetinawhile a bike comes through with miles on the odometer right from the factory- I know, it sounds hard to believe, but my dealership has a consistently great rep and my salesman matches the rep... *and* the story matches the bike's condition, which is totally untouched.
Well, if it was still in the factory crate, any miles would certainly have been factory generated. Curious as to how, though. If the previous dealer had assembled it for display, it is most likely mileage from the test ride done by the assembling tech, or by a buyer who had second thoughts. My dealer does not ride bikes that are assembled for display, and does not install the battery until the bike is sold. At that point, fluids are added, adjustments made and the PDI and test ride completed. He does, however, allow a new buyer to opt out of the deal if the first ride is not satisfactory - which would account for a few miles if the original dealer had a similar policy. At any rate, I doubt that 24 miles is anything to worry about and you should not let it interfere with your excitement over a gorgeous new bike. I take delivery of mine on Tuesday, so I know how you feel. Believe me, 24 miles would not prevent me from taking it. Congratulations! I wish I was in your shoes right now... :)
don't worry about the 24 miles, and don't demand an extended warranty if it's a good shop. the good shops have a hard enough time stayng in business as it is. it may have been test ridden or it might have left the factory with the 24 on the clock. either way, the bike will be fine. just check carefully for any scratches. get out there and enjoy yourself.
According to an article written by MOTOMAN, the first 25 miles of and engine's life are the most important as far as break-in goes so you got one mile to get it right. :goofy:
In all honesty if they are test ride miles the bike was probably broken in just fine. Hard enough to seat the rings but not too hard because most people have a concern about trashing an unridden machine on the first go around.
Have the dealer change the oil and filter to get the break-in particles out of the engine and then again at 300-500 miles.
IntAceptor, Apr 9 2005, 01:19 AMAccording to an article written by MOTOMAN, the first 25 miles of and engine's life are the most important as far as break-in goes so you got one mile to get it right. :goofy:
Oh God...not this again :P You know that's an evil topic!
I do have to use this opportunity to quote the Ford engine designer I e-mailed about that website though:
I think he fundamentally misunderstands how a piston ring works.
A piston ring is designed to "float" around the piston. Everytime it cycles, it rotates slightly around. That promotes even wear across the ring. When it doesnt you have mico-welding which is bad.
That wear pattern happens throughout the lifetime on the engine, not the first 20 miles.
In all the literature I found on the subject and amongst all the engineers I asked, nothing ever backed up MotoMan's theories.
The VFR's odometer reads off the driveshaft, not the front wheel like in other bikes. Its entirely possible that those 24 miles occured during factory run-in of the engine, hence the unworn tires.
my bike had .3km on her(around 300yard) when i first got on her, and all i could think was 'wtf is that mechanic riding around the parking lot on MY brand new bike!' ;p yep, just assembled and he was going up and down the parking lot making sure everything was ok. i guess i was ok with that. 24 miles? wouldn't sweat it.
Peregrinus, Apr 8 2005, 06:28 PMWell, it seems like oncetinawhile a bike comes through with miles on the odometer right from the factory- I know, it sounds hard to believe, but my dealership has a consistently great rep and my salesman matches the rep... *and* the story matches the bike's condition, which is totally untouched.
I won't gush *too* much here, I'll wait 'til I get photos uploaded and do it in proper style... but I'll say this much: The bike is *not* beautiful... that is too mild a word. IT'S BLOODY OMIGAWD GORGEOUS!!! :D
I hate to break this to you but you were lied to. We sold about 1100 new Honda street bikes a year and they all had between 0 and .2 miles on the odometer out of the crate. Someone at the other dealer test rode it. It's not a big deal at all but your dealer is blowing smoke up your arse. <_<
Thanks to all for your info and input. I do plan on accepting the bike, and will have a "frank" talk with my salesman... Look for my post with pictures coming up next!
ScootR, Apr 9 2005, 10:17 AMAsk for a discount as it was a demo bike ! My CBR had 100 miles on it and was and I got it for $9849, only one salesman had rode it.
ScootR, Apr 9 2005, 05:17 AMAsk for a discount as it was a demo bike ! My CBR had� 100 miles on it and was and I got it for $9849, only one salesman had rode it.
what they meant to tell you is that only "1" salesman rode it at a time. or perhaps only 1 rode it for 5 miles, and the others thrashed it for 95 miles!! :P
Hey it doesn't have any marks on it (yet). You've got a clean slate as I see it. :beer:
Mine's got a few character marks. From the ditch at Laguna Seca, drag marks on lower fairing from Willow Springs. Ground footpegs from Willow. Coupla dings and dangs. Still rides good. Should be even better after I get it back from T.O. Honda from the valve adjust fluid change and spark plugs etc. The bills gonna hurt I'm sure, but I'm just a checkbook mechanic I guess. :goofy:
Make sure they take good care of it LastChance. :thumbsup:
Over the winter I bought an 03 corporate demo bike with 240 KM on it. Got a full factory warrantee on it and I am not worried about it whatsoever. Enjoy the bike and welcome to the forum.
To me 24 miles is used, when I bought my 05 the speedo said 0 and to me thats new, so in my opinion I'd either buy a used bike with little miles [24] and good warranty at a used price or new bike 0 miles and full price but thats just me, I'm sure either way it should be a great bike.
gastdoc, Apr 10 2005, 04:13 AMTo me 24 miles is used, when I bought my 05 the speedo said 0 and to me thats new, so in my opinion I'd either buy a used bike with little miles [24] and good warranty at a used price or new bike 0 miles and full price but thats just me, I'm sure either way it should be a great bike.
I don't really see any problem with a mile or two on the odometer. It most likely IS setup test miles from the dealer mechanic. I've seen this done on bikes when I visit the local Honda dealership, where the mechanic would finish setting up a newly purchased bike, and the mechanic would take it for a spin around the block. It is a good way to know that all basic systems on the bike are all up and running and adjusted or tightened down properly. Frankly, zero miles might look nice, but it will actually make me feel a little nervous. :blink:
Beck 95 VFR
End of thread · 30 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 14 Apr 2005